Zero Hour for the Islamic Republic The time has come for the world to unite against Iran’s regime. 3 Comments By Danny Danon
https://www.wsj.com/articles/zero-hour-for-the-islamic-republic-1540422152
Iran has long been a subject of intense discussion during the United Nations General Assembly. But in years past the world lacked the leadership and political will to confront Tehran over its nuclear ambitions and support for terrorism. This year is different. With the regime facing political unrest at home and escalating sanctions from abroad, the international community can block its expansionist and dangerous designs.
The Iranian leadership is beleaguered. It faces protests that directly challenge its legitimacy. Iranians are outraged that their leaders have funneled the billions of dollars their government received from the nuclear agreement to support terrorist proxies. Protesters are shouting “Death to Palestine”—repudiating the regime’s anti-Israel eliminationism—and “Leave Syria and think of us.”
Financial pressure from U.S. sanctions has compounded this domestic turmoil, as companies around the world end their commercial dealings with Iran. The value of the Iranian rial has plummeted, while Iran’s oil exports have fallen 25% since June. In November a second round of sanctions will target the backbone of Iran’s economy, its oil and gas sectors.
When the General Assembly convened in September, President Trump advised the international community to join the U.S. in isolating the regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the existence of a new nuclear site constructed in violation of the nuclear agreement. He invited the International Atomic Energy Agency, or anyone with a smartphone, to inspect the site: latitude 35.5022, longitude 51.2997.
Yet some European countries continue exploring ways to skirt U.S. sanctions and maintain business ties with Iran. One strategy is to issue a “blocking statute” that threatens businesses that comply with U.S. sanctions. Another is to continue transactions with Iran through a newly created financial entity. But such schemes won’t save the regime. German banks have already rejected over 80% of transfer payments from Iran, and it will take months for Russian or Chinese firms to backfill lost revenue from the exodus of foreign investment.
The world must not be fooled into believing that normalizing relations with Tehran will improve global security. Iran has tens of thousands of soldiers and proxy forces in Syria. It is actively engaged in a proxy war in Yemen. It recently provided short-range ballistic missiles to Shiite forces in Iraq. This summer it attempted to bomb an opposition rally in Paris. Europe should stand fast with the U.S. Wishful thinking and appeasement will not keep the Continent safe.
With more consequential U.S. sanctions approaching, now is the time to support the Iranian people’s demand for change and increase the pressure on their rulers. The world may soon have the opportunity to free itself of this evil regime, and I call on my colleagues at the U.N. to join the U.S. and Israel in standing against its regional adventurism and global terrorism.
—Mr. Danon is Israel’s ambassador to the U.N.
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